Sweet and sour cherries - Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus

Choosing Prunus avium (sweet cherry) and Prunus cerasus (sour cherry) is a decision in favour of ecological functionality and design presence. While sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is often planted as a structuring solitary tree in spacious gardens or as ecological compensation planting due to its striking growth form and shiny ringed bark, sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) impresses with its high site tolerance and compact usability in urban private gardens.

The use of large trees is a decisive quality feature here: they have an immediate spatial effect and provide shade for the immediate usability of open spaces, with a lower risk of failure and more stable statics.

XXL fruit trees

Immediate privacy and shade
Faster (and safer) yield
Resistance to environmental influences
Time savings during cultivation

Specifications - Prunus avium

Origin:

Caucasus

Habit:

Large, stately tree (up to 20–25 metres); often forms a pyramid-shaped crown.

Flower:

Pure white, arranged in clusters; usually blooms slightly earlier than the sour cherry.

Fruit:

Sweet, juicy, firm or soft flesh; colour varies from yellow to red to black-red.

Leaves:

Relatively large (10–15 cm), hanging, edges coarsely serrated; often have two red glands on the leaf stalk.

Demands:

Loves sunny, rather dry locations.

Soil:

Prefers nutrient-rich, deep soils

Hardiness:

down to -20°C

Specifications - Prunus cerasus

Origin:

Southwest Asia, Asia Minor

Habit:

Smaller tree or shrub-like (approx. 5–10 metres); crown usually rounded and often somewhat sparse or overhanging.

Flower:

White, often coinciding with leaf budding.

Fruit:

Sour, usually softer flesh; high fruit acid content; the best-known variety is the “Schattenmorelle”.

Leaves:

Smaller (5–8 cm), tougher/leatherier than sweet cherries, shiny; tend to stand horizontally or upright, do not hang as much.

Demands:

Also tolerates cooler locations

Soil:

More moist soils.

Hardiness:

down to -25°C

Variety overview

Prunus avium - sweet cherry

Professional tips

If you prune sweet cherries in summer, the cuts will heal better. Timing: The best time to plant is autumn or early spring.

Prunus cerasus - sour cherry

Professional tips

Sour cherries are self-pollinating. Pruning: Sour cherries are best pruned in summer, immediately after harvesting (July/August). Pruning at this time promotes wound healing, reduces the risk of disease (such as monilia) and stimulates the formation of new flower buds for the following year.

Our delicious cherries

Prunus avium 'Kassins Frühe Herzkirsche'

April to May

Details

Prunus avium 'Große Schwarze Knorpelkirsche'

April to May

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Prunus cerasus 'Morellenfeuer'

2 to 5 m

April to May

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Prunus cerasus 'Schattenmorelle'

2 to 5 m

April to May

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Prunus cerasus 'Safir'

April to May

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus?

The sweet cherry (Prunus avium) grows much more vigorously, forms large crowns and prefers warm, sunny locations. The sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) grows more compactly, is extremely frost-hardy and copes well with partial shade.

Why should you buy cherry trees as large trees (solitary)?

Large trees from the nursery have already been professionally pruned and offer an immediate spatial effect.

Do I always need two trees for pollination?

Sweet cherries: Most varieties are self-sterile and require a suitable pollinator variety nearby. Sour cherries: Many varieties (such as “Schattenmorelle”) are self-fertile and can be planted as single trees without any problems.

Do you have to prune a cherry tree every year?

Regular pruning is important to keep the crown light and ensure fruit quality. Sweet cherries are ideally pruned immediately after harvesting in summer to minimise the risk of infection. Sour cherries often require more severe rejuvenation pruning, as they bear fruit on one-year-old wood and otherwise become ‘aged’.

What type of soil do cherry trees prefer?

Cherries hate ‘wet feet’ (waterlogging). They need deep, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. Sweet cherries also prefer slightly calcareous soil.

Do you have any questions?

We will be happy to advise you!

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